Steam baths



Dec. 16, 1958 E. SCHONEBERG STEAM BATHS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1957 I qv'cqfcr Erna: schoneberg M ZTZ E. SCHONEBERG STEAM BATHS Dec. 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1957 lqve ryt-o r Ernesf Schoncberg United States Patent STEAM BATHS Ernest Schoneberg, Rolla, N. Dak.

Application January 11, 1957, Serial No. 633,618

3 Claims. (Cl. 4-160) This invention relates to the application of saturated steam to the human body for therapeutic or medical use, such as the treatment of skin diseases, arthritis, et cetera, or for improving the health generally. It is commonly known as a steam bath.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a full length closed cabinet in which the patient may recline at ease, with the head projecting therefrom, while the body is enveloped in fog-like steam to raise the temperature thereof and open the skin pores for cleansing.

A further important object of the invention is to design the steam bath in a knock-down construction for compact storage or portability, and such that all parts, with the exception of the steam generator, can be folded up into a small sized container.

A further object of the invention is to construct the steam bath in a very simple and efiicient manner, using the steam generator for the central support or leg, and such that it can be assembled and used by a patient without requiring any help.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby dirt cannot enter the steam pipings when the bath is dismantled.

A still further object of the invention is to provide draining means to return condensation back to the generator.

With the above important and other minor objects in view, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the design and construction of the various parts hereinafter, more particularly described, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the steam bath set up, but minus the covering and the neck shield.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of one corner of an end partition and showing the pin connection.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the covering for the steam bath.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the neck shield.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of the steam bath and showing the head rest folded in place.

Figure 6 is an enlarged central section taken on the line 6-6, Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7, Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-8, Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of one end of the steam generator.

Figure 10 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 10-10, Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a side view of the upper end of part of a leg.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the steam bath folded up.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

A pair of panels 10 and 11 are hinged at 12 so they can be folded together. Each of the panels are formed from rectangular-shaped plates 13 (see Figure 10) having a beading 14 therearound. Each of the outer corners of the panels is provided with a pair of holes 15, a short distance in from the corner (see Figure 12). V- shaped legs 16, formed from rod, support the outer corners and their upper ends are shouldered, as at 17 (see Figure 11), with an extending shank 18 which enters the holes 15 of the panels. A rectangular-shaped metal steam generator 19 is positioned directly under the hinged junction of the panels and forms a fifth leg for the bath. A pair of L-shaped rods project upwardly from each central end of the generator, pass between the panels, and the hooks thereof enter horizontal holes 21 in the beading of one. of the panels (see Figures 7 and 8) to retain same thereto.

A rectangular-shaped head rest 22 (see Figure 5) is hinged at 23 to the head end of the panel 10. The under part of the head rest is provided with an eye 24' which is pivotally connected to. a tubing 25. The

opposite end of the tubing slidably receives a rod 26 which can be locked from movement by a finger screw 27 on the tubing. The outer end of the rod is pivoted to a hanger 28 which is adapted to hook over the beading 14 when the head restis swung out as shown in Figure 1.

The angle of the head rest is adjusted by moving the rod end of said pipings bend and terminate flush with the.

edge of the headings. Coil springs 34 press against these latter pins while their opposite ends resiliently hold balls 35 against the inturned edges of said ends of the pipings. their opposite ends are closed (not shown).

The steam generator 19 (see Figures 6, 7 and 9) is a rectangular-shaped container having an upper cross partition 37 which forms the bottom of an upper well 38. The container can be filled with water 39 through the plugged hole 40 in the centre of the partition. A central cross tube 41, above the plug, is held to the side walls by a central rivet 42 which passes therethrough and so.

form a handle to carry the generator. The upper surface of the partition 37, ateach end, is provided with a pair of outwardly projecting elbows 43 which connect with the interior of the container. Their outer ends are received in telescoping ends of rubber tubings 44 which pass out through holes 44 in the end walls of the upper well 38 and then connect in the same manner to semicircular metal elbows 45. The opposite ends of the elbows 45 telescope over the flush ends of the pipings 30, and it will be noted. they are interiorly provided with a small vertical. plate 46 having an outwardly projecting tongue 47. This tongue, in each elbow, moves its corresponding ball 35 back so said elbow and piping is fluidly connected (see Figure 10). The lower part of the container 19 receives an interior electric heater 48, the outer end of which carries an exterior switch boxing 49 which is connected by an electric cable 50 to a plug 51 which can be inserted in any suitable electric outlet. The switch inside the boxing (not shown) may be controlled by a thermostat (not shown) to regulate the temperature of the water 39.

From the above it will be seen that when the water is heated, steam will be generated and will pass up the elbows 43, tubings 44, elbows 45 and into the pipings in the headings.

Accordingly, no dirt can enter the pipings as.

End partitions 52 and outer edges rolled around individual wires 54 (see Figure 2) and the lower end of the wires extend downwardly therepast to form pins 55 which enter corner holes 56 of the panels (see Figure Horizontal studs 57 are suitably positioned around the outer faces of the bath partitions and around a central opening 58 in the partition 52 for a purpose later described. A pair of tubings 59 have one end of each connected by a flexible cable 60 while their opposite ends are provided with downwardly projecting pins (not shown) which enter holes in the side headings of the panel adjacent the hinge joint (not shown) so this unit will form a vertical arch at the centre of the bath of a similar shape to the partitions thereof.

A covering 61 is shown in Figure 3 and is adapted to be received over the end partitions 52 and 53 and flexible cable 60 of the steam bath to enclose same and form a stern cabinet therebetween. Each end of this covering is folded and sewn over a wire 62 to from a tunnel therefor. Each end of the wires 62 are formed into eyes 63 so that, when the covering is in place, these eyes can hook over bottom studs 64 on the bath partitions and hold the tunnels tightly against the upper edge studs 57, stretching the covering tight to the edges of the partitions. Straps 65 are sewn to the lower corners of the covering and are adapted to loop behind the legs 16 and their opopsite ends carry rings 66 which also book onto the studs 64 so that both the covering and the partitions are held to the panels 10 and 11.

A neck shield 67 is shown in Figure 4 and comprises a semi-circular band of flexible material having the outer edge thereof looped in a further tunnel around a wire 68 and the ends of this latter wire are also provided with eyes 69. These latter eyes are hooked onto lower studs 70 on the partition 52 to hold this latter tunnel around the studs of the opening 58. The central part of the shield goes around the patients neck when his head is on the head rest and with sufficient closeness to prevent steam from passing out the opening 58.

Accordingly, a closed steam cabinet is provided below the covering for the patient to lie in, a portion of said covering being cut and provided with a zipper fastening 71 for entrance or exit and can be operated by the patient from the inside without requiring help in any way. By providing suitable pads (not shown) on the panels 10 and 11 the patient can recline at ease thereon in the steam cabinet, with his head resting outside on the head rest. As saturated steam will be coming out of the holes 32 in the side headings of the panels, the body will be enveloped thereby, heated, and the pores opened for thorough cleansing of the skin and disease treatment. As perspiration and steam condensation will fall on the panels 10 and 11, this moisture can drain back to the steam generator well 38 through holes 72 of the plates 13, adjacent the hinged parts of the panels.

After the bath has been used, all parts can be dismantled, the head rest folded into postion as shown in Figure 5, the semi-circular elbows 45 withdrawn from the piping 30 so the balls 35 will close and prevent dirt entrance thereto. All loose parts, including the covering's, can be placed on the panels 10 and 11 and when they are folded on their hinges 12 these parts will be contained therein and the panels will have the appearance shown in Figure 12, a suitable clamp 73 being provided to maintain closure. As the panels are so folded, the L-shaped hooks 20 of the steam generator can he slipped out of the holes 21 and the generator can then be carried by the handle along with the panels for compact storage.

While I have shown the ends of the pipings 30 flush with the sides of the heading 14, these piping ends could be projected upwardly to terminate flush with the upper surfaces of the headings. In such a case the elbows 45 would be made on a three-quarter curve to again connect 53 are provided for the bath on the panels 10 and.11. These partitions have their.

in the same manner with the piping ends. By this arrangement the ends of the pipings would be contained between the panels 10 and 11 and not be exposed to dirt of any kind when said panels are folded for storage.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A knock down steam bath, comprising: a pair of aligned panels having adjacent ends and remote ends provided with remote end corners; hinge means hingedly conmeeting said adjacent ends together for folding movement; an upper beading around the edges of each of said panels forming a center valley within each of said panels; a piping along the sides of each of said panels inside of said beading and having open ends terminating adjacent the hingedly connected ends of said panels; said piping being provided with a plurality of spaced holes therealong on each side of said aligned panels; four downwardly directed supporting legs having upper ends releasably connected to said panels at said remote corners; a steam generator having extensions therefrom for fluid connection thereto; said generator underlying and abutting the hingedly connected ends of said panels and extending vertically downwardly therefrom,thereby forming a fifth leg support therefor; tubing means having one end of each telescopically received by and joined to one of the open ends of said piping, and the opposite end of each of said tubing means being telescopically received by and joined to one of the extensions of said generator, for steam passage from said generator to said piping and delivery of same out of said piping holes; a flexible cover removably mounted over said panels and said piping and forming a steam receiving chamber thereabove; said four supporting legs, said tubing means, and said cover all being demountable for reception in said valleys and between said panels when same are folded together.

2. A knock down steam bath, comprising: a pair of aligned panels having adjacent ends and remote ends provided with remote end corners; horizontal hinge means hingedly connecting said adjacent ends together for folding movement; an upper beading around the edges of each of said panels forming a central valley Within each of said panels; a piping mounted along and in said edge beading of each of said panels; said piping having open ends terminating flush with the surface of said headings adjacent the hingedly connected ends of said panels; said piping being provided with a plurality of upwardly directed holes longitudinally spaced therealong on each side of said central valleys therebetween, and said beading being provided with openings aligned with said holes; four downwardly directed supporting legs having their upper ends releasably connected to said panels at said remote corners; a steam generator having extensions therefrom for fluid connection thereto; said generator having an upper well; said generator underlying and abutting the hingedly connected ends of said panels and extending vertically downwardly therefrom and forming a fifth leg support therefor; tubing means having one end of each telescopically received by and joined to one of the open ends of said piping, and the opposite end of each tubing means being telescopically received by and joined to one of the extensions of said generator, for steam passage between said generator and said piping and delivery of same out said piping holes; passages through said panels for draining liquid therefrom to said upper Well; upwardly projecting frame members; openings on said panels; means on the lowerends of said frame members engaging said openings on said panels and mounting said frame members on said panels projecting upwardly therefrom; a flexible cover removably mounted on and over said frame members and forming a steam receiving chamber above said panels and said piping; said four supporting legs, said tubing means, said frame members, and said cover all being demountable for reception in said valleys and between said panels when same are folded together.

3. A knock down steam bath, comprising: a pair .of aligned panels having adjacent ends and remote ends pro- 'vided with remote end corners; hinge means hingedly connecting said adjacent ends together for folding movement; an upper beading around the edges of each of said panels forming a center valley within each of said panels; a piping along the sides of each of said panels inside of said heading and having open ends terminating adjacent the hingedly connected ends of said panels and having closed outer ends; said piping being provided with a plurality of spaced holes therealong on each side of said aligned panels; four downwardly directed supporting legs having upper ends releasably connected to said panels at said remote corners; a steam generator having a closed water chamber and an upper Well thereabove; a normally closed water passage opening between said well and said water chamber; said generator underlying and abutting the hingedly connected ends of said panels and being provided with means releasably fastening said generator to said panels with said generator extending vertically downwardly therefrom and forming a central support for said panels, said generator having extensions thereon for fluid connection to said water chamber; tubing means having one end of each telescopically received by and joined to one of the open ends of said piping, and the opposite end of each of said tubing means being telescopically received by and joined to one of the extensions of said generator, for steam passage from said generator to said piping and delivery of same out of said piping holes; means for heating water in said generator water chamber; openings through said panels, adjacent said hingedly connected 6 ends, for liquid drainage to the upper well of said generator; a pair of opposed partitions; holes in said panels adjacent the remote ends of said panels; means on the bottoms of said partitions engaging said holes in said panels and removably mounting said partitions on said panels projecting upwardly therefrom, a head passage opening in one of said partitions; a head rest; hinge means hingedly connecting said head rest to one of said panels in a position extending therefrom adjacent said head passage opening; said hinge means mounting said head rest to swing into a stored position within the central valley of the panel supporting it, when the partition having said head passage opening is removed from said panel; a flex= ible cover removably mounted on and over said partitions and secured to said panels and forming a steam receiving chamber above said panels and said piping; said four supporting legs, said partitions, said tubing means, and said cover all being demountable for reception in said valleys and between said panels when same are folded together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 586,036 Hay July 6, 1897 1,144,861 Payeur June 29, 1915 2,533,640 Ulrich Dec. 12, 1950 2,770,812 Whiteside Nov. 20, 1956 

